All across the UK people are commemorating the 70th anniversary of The Battle of Britain. But for the courage and fortitude of the men and women of the RAF, indeed of the entire British nation, the scourge of facism would have persisted and inflicted far more agregious damage upon or world than can be imagined. Now, more than ever, it is vital that people all across the world remember the ones whose bravery and dedication enabled us to have the liberties and comforts we now enjoy.

In my eyes The Battle of Britain is as significant to the UK as Independence Day is to us in the United States. To the British nation it is with great respect that I thank you for your sacrifices in that epic struggle. My clumsy words cannot express what it is you did for all of us, so I leave it to one of your greatest orators.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6OTxPiViHk

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo348/redhornet2008/TheFew.jpg

M_Gunz

08-21-2010, 11:47 PM

If anything, a much larger percent of the British population actively backed the BoB than Americans actively backed the revolution.
But I wouldn't put the BoB above the signing of the Magna Carta in historical significance! Is there a MC day in Britain?

tomtheyak

08-22-2010, 01:40 AM

Crissakes Gunz, let the man have his sentiment. Maybe Magna Carta was historically more significant but does that detract from the thousands of young men and women who of their own volition put themselves between the populace of Britain and the guns and bombs of the Luftwaffe? Does it minimise the value of any one of those who paid the ultimate price for that choice?

Your irracibility is becoming tiresome Gunz. We aren't all your enemies, though you are doin a damn good job of turning us all into 'em.

Just because I have a different opinion doesn't give you any right to portray me however you want to turn it into a personal insult.

Maybe you should re-read your own post and ask yourself who is showing 'attitude'.

orville07

08-22-2010, 07:18 AM

Thank you redhornet, but most importantly thanks to those of ALL nations who participated in one of the most pivotal and decisive battles of WWII, the first major defeat of a seemingly unstoppable war machine.

Though the vast majority of pilots were indeed British, the massive contribution of the Commonwealth and brave people of many other nations should be remembered and honoured too.

@tomtheyak, mate I don't think Gunz was being disrespectful or otherwise, just raising a point for discussion.

Yes, Magna Carta was of massive importance, but the BOB more so. Why? Because in the event of Fascism prevailing, all that this seminal charter represented would have counted for naught. Privileges we take for granted like 'Habeas Corpus' would have been mercilessly eradicated by the Jackboot of totalitarianism, as if they had never existed.

The Battle of Britain was one of worldwide import and significance, and symbolic of the values that brave people the world over were fighting to defend; many of course paying the ultimate price. I salute them all.....and all undoubtedly deserve our gratitude.

Cheers. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

*Spelling edit

M_Gunz

08-22-2010, 08:38 AM

It was the likening of Independence Day that got me. A separation of control from the existing order with New Law and a new basis for law forced into being.
Whereas the BoB was a life or death struggle against would-be invaders with no change in rule of the home country involved. A great event in British history to say the least and for the percentage of British involved not only as military forces but those who were on the receiving end while all around went to hell and kept their resolve not to surrender, a terrific statement in actions about the British by the British.

I look back at what I know of British history since Rome pulled out. The Angles and Saxons taking over. The Normans taking over. And the MC is where I see the cycle of overlords in total power broken and the common people getting some kind of decent break. That is the closest to Independence Day I know of in Britain.
It makes no less of what came later though. Sorry if anyone thinks that is my meaning. It's not.

BillSwagger

08-22-2010, 10:38 AM

I can only ponder so much before i begin to speculate the hypotheticals that would've eventually lead me to think that we may all be speaking German if the British hadn't won.
With that said, i think the BoB was much more than one country's independence.

Bill

Monty_Thrud

08-22-2010, 10:57 AM

Redhornet, hope you don't mind me posting these photos i took of todays celebrations of BoB and the War, in my Town.

Sadly i didn't get the Hurricane MkIIc flypast, but it was wonderful.

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redhornet07

08-22-2010, 12:58 PM

Monty,
FANTASTIC pictures. I really wish I could be in Britain this month, I desperately want to go to Duxford and re-visit The Imperial War Museum.

Gunz,
I'm not equating BoB to our Independence Day, I just feel it's as significant. Also, I'm not stating that BoB is more or less significant than the Magna Carta, just that it was a seminal point in British history. In my opinion though BoB was absolutely a fight for the independence of Britain against an oppressive government. Had the BoB not been a victory for the UK they would have eventually fallen to nazi Germany and been subjugated as the rest of western Europe was. That's all conjecture however, as historically it all turned out quite well.

I'm not British so I can't say how significant BoB is or is not to British citizens. I'm just relating my sentiments and opinions.

Xiolablu3

08-22-2010, 03:51 PM

Max was only giving his opinion and chatting guys, lighten up !! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

The BOB day is well remembered here. It was on the news.

Its very significant, because it was the first time Hitler had been stopped in his advance.

M_Gunz

08-22-2010, 05:12 PM

There was only one reply to my posting that I objected to Xio, and I responded to that as well as gave my reasons for my first reply. I don't liken Irving Berlin to Ozzy Osbourne even though they were both musicians, either. I doubt that Irving ever had a lisp.

Worf101

08-22-2010, 05:24 PM

My heartfelt thanks to all the men and women of the Allied countries that helped to keep my forebears free. On this 70th anniversary a tip of my ex-soldiers cap to "The Few".

Worf

PS that shot of the German guard post gave me the effin' willies.

trumper

08-24-2010, 02:49 AM

http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gifThe Battle of Britain was the first time the world was able to see the Germans were able to be stopped.
Up until then all we had to celebrate [if that is the correct sentiment] was the evacuation of Dunkirk,basically a defeat.
At this point the Americans and the world were listening to radio broadcasts wondering what was going to happen, which way would the war swing.
The Battle of Britain didn't defeat Germany BUT it was an indicator that you could alter the plans of the opposition and start to dictate in certain favourable conditions your own policies.
It was a morale raising victory for everyone.It pulled everyone to a common cause and belief and linked all from Johnny commoner to royalty and the inspiring words from the one and only Winston Churchill.
It was won with the public backing in everyday life, industries,the ground crews,from all the COMMONWEALTHS and allied countries at that point of the war.
http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/11.gif
From that little acorn did the oak tree grow and that sowed the seeds of doubt and the beginning of the end of the invincibility of Hitler and his plans.

Scolar

08-24-2010, 06:15 PM

In Britain there is often have a pessimistic view on history created by the media and documentaries, instead of a great victory it was a near loss etc.

Dowding was a great man and lead the RAF to really the turning point of the war. This was when Germany was stopped from going west and forced them to turn east and ultimately to their downfall!

M_Gunz

08-24-2010, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by trumper:
At this point the Americans and the world were listening to radio broadcasts wondering what was going to happen, which way would the war swing.

In America, not just listening to the radio and wondering. There were far differing sentiments and ideologies actively played out. Some had even gone to Britain and joined the RAF. Others.....